Low (<15) watt valve guitar amps     iPad guitar interfaces

Page 1 of 5  a-c | d-j | k-p | r-s | t-z 

updated 30/12/2011

Reasons for small valve amps

Reason one - Health

Lower volumes can prevent hearing loss - there are a many rock stars with the affliction of tinnitus or are going deaf due to long term exposure to loud music including:  Phil Collins and Roger Daltry (the Who), Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Eric Johnson, James Hetfield, Mick Fleetwood and a lot more.

Reason two - Your live sound should match your practice tone

I hate the thought that my rig will sound different live when you crank it up louder.  Check out the Edge's gear - he runs racks with effects and little combos inside. Your just mike it up and run it through the PA.

Reason three - You can actually lift them!  My Tiny Terror lives inside its little bag in my cable trolley. Fewer trips for my lug.

Reason four - Fewer valves means less maintenance costs.  If your amp has KT88s on board you can be up for over $50 per unit.

"Which small or low watt guitar amp?" is a common question on many forums.  My valve amp journey started with a Crate Vintage 50 2 by 12 combo.  It was great amp - but it weighed a ton and I could never use its tone without bleeding ears.  My next amp was a bit smaller, VHT Pittbull 45 single 12. Again a great amp and weighed a lot less than the Crate - but still way loud. I currently use an Orange Tiny Terror (mainly) and a THD Univalve - which I love.  Sure 2 channels would be great ..and I would kinda like more clean headroom ...but I cannot afford a Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special. 

Since I started this collection a while back I am sure there are a lot more small valve amps around ... here are more than 190 examples for your enjoyment. These machines are perfectly suited for bedroom or recording studio application. I gig with my Tiny Terror - no problems.  For larger venues add a microphone.

For those wondering about low power amps - it is all about power valve saturation (not preamp valve).  When you hear it you will know and you will want more of it....

Of course for those wanting to keep their high power amps - you can achieve power valve saturation at more modest sound pressure levels using an Attenuator or isolation cabinet.

Cabinet ohms | Pedal Power Supplies | Pedal Boards |  Travel amps | Headphone amps | Travel guitars | Valve preamp pedals | Fender car color guitars

ADA Rocket 10 watt valve amp   Advance Tube Tech Magic Eye Dimensions: mm570 x 220 x 210 Weight: Kg 15,3 Pre/Driver section tubes: 3 x 6SL7/6188 Power section tubes: 2 x 1619 MILITARY N.O.S. RCA Audio power: 10W class “A” FX loop serial/parallel Controls: gain, master, bass, middle, treble, send, return Switches: Bright, Fat, Send FX-Loop +4/-20, Ground lift, FX serial/parallel, FX on/off Output/input jack 1/4”: Guitar input LO/HI, Line out, FX send/ return, speaker 8 ohm/16 ohm, FX ser/parallel, FX on/off Remote control through dedicated pedal: FAT, GAIN, MASTER Remote control through generic on/off switch: FX LOOP ON/OFF, FX LOOP SER./PARALL. Alessandro Beagle Cabinet Solid, hand rubbed oak with laminated oak front panel. Output 10 watts @ 8 or 16 ohms Preamp Tubes 2 x 6SL7 (all-octal) Power Tubes 2 x EL84   Alien Five 5W RMS All Tube Single-Ended / Class A 2 parallel outputs / 4 and 8 ohms 2 x 12ax7 and 1 x EL84 (JJ Tubes) Allen Amplification Classic 10 Output Power - 10 watts. Tube Compliment - (1) 12AX7 preamp tube and (1) 6L6GC or EL34 power tube. Class A single-ended with cathode bias. Equalization - TONE control to cut or boost highs, BOOST switch "ON" thins out bass. Chassis - brushed 18 gauge stainless-steel. Transformers - USA made TP18 power transformer and Heyboer TO11C output transformer. Topology - Loosely based on tweed Princeton 5F2-A™ but with more power, unique boost feature and a solid-state rectifier. Cabinet - Finger-jointed pine with Birch plywood floating speaker baffle and MDF back panels. Speaker(s) - Eminence Copperhead 8 ohm speaker. Special Features - Cathode biased power tube can be a 6L6GC or an EL34. Unique BOOST switch pumps up the gain for more mids and highs and eliminates the negative feedback for a more Marshal like overdrive tone. Size and Weight - 17"W by 17"H by 9"D and 24lbs. Ampeg  GVT 5H Dual power modes Full power – 5 watts RMS Half power – 2.5 watts RMS Preamp: Tube ( 1 x 12AX7 ) Rectifier: Solid state Power amp: Tube ( 1 x 6V6GT ) Tone controls: Baxandall treble and bass Speaker outputs: 1 x 16 ohm, 2 x 8 ohm and 2 x 4 ohm Cabinet: Void-free 15mm plywood Dimensions (H x W x D inches excluding handle approx.): 9.1 x 15.5 x 9.1 Handling weight (approx.): 20 lbs / 9.1 kg Amp Exchange MEAN 13 Single channel with volume, treble, middle and bass controls Extremely overbuild with many N.O.S parts for tone & reliability Extremely low noise across entire Db range 4, 8, 916 OHM outputs Has only one 12 AX-7 dual triode for lower noise while producing similar gain to '59 Fender Bassman Has a 5 watt to 13 watt selector switch-5watt mode runs the tubes in triode mode while 13 watt run's the tubes in pentode mode Use's all high quality (made in U.S.A) Mercury Magnetics transformers   Ampmaker AK01 - The SE-5a guitar amp kit Do it yourself  5W single-ended Class A amp, with Treble, Middle and Bass controls Arte Sound Italy 5 watt and 15 watt amps and combos. The specs for the 5AS pictured right: Power Output 5W Tube Compliment - (1) 12AX7 (1) 6V6 power tube (1) 5Y3 Class A single-ended with cathode bias. Solid wood cabinet available in cherry or walnut Speaker Jensen available in 8" or 10"   Artec Sound Tube 5 TUBE-5C (combo) - OUT PUT POWER : 5W (RMS) - VALVES: 12BH7 x 1 , 12AX7 x 1 - SPEAKER : 10”x 1 (16 ohm) - DIMENSIONS : w454 X d248X h389(mm) - WEIGHT : 14 (kg) TUBE-5H (head) - OUT PUT POWER : 5W (RMS) - VALVES: 12BH7 x 1 , 12AX7 x 1 - DIMENSIONS : w454 X d228 X h185(mm) - WEIGHT : 7.8 (kg Aston Electronics 5 Watt valve amp kit   At Mars Amplification Filmosound Specialist. This amp is driven by a pair of 6V6 power tubes with the power supply rectified by the 5Y3 rectifier tube. The front end normally uses a 12AT7 and 12AX7 for the preamp and driver/phase inverter. However, both of these tubes can be substituted with any tube from the 12AU7 family to provide a variety of gain structures based on your preferences. The Specialist is a cathode biased amp and puts out about 15 watts. The combination of the cathode bias and it's uncommon phase inverter makes the amp very touch sensitive. Although normally the amp starts to dirty up at about “3” on the dial, adjusting your pick attack or rolling back your volume knob can take the amp from dirty to clean without the use of a stomp box.   Auble Systems System 110 System 110, - in its original form consisted of (1) 12AX7,(1) 12AU7,(2)6V6 tubes with a triode-pentode switch making 6 and 12 watts. Since then the front-end is used with many different power sections resulting in amps making anywhere from .9 to 30 watts. The simplicity of the design gives the amp a very versatile and dynamic characteristic. At the low end of the volume control the tone is very reminiscent of the 59 Bassman, and when cranked morphs into a very Marshall-like tone. Audio Kitchen Little Chopper 7 Watt Based around an ECC81 and ECC83 in the preamp and EL84 power amp, the tones range from ultimate 'American' cleans, through classic British chime and grunt, all the way out the other side to Crazy-Horse style scuzz. Controls on the front panel are Gain, Bass, Middle, Top, Stack, Power Nominal Power Output 7Watts Single Ended into 8Ohms Valve Compliment 1 x ECC81 1 x ECC83 1 x EL84 1 x EZ81 Dimensions Approx Excluding Handle and Feet 320mm x 210mm x 205mm (W x D x H   Bad Cat MINI II : 5 WATT 1 Channel, 1 Input : 12" Speaker The only thing small about this powerhouse 5 watt amp is its size. You won’t believe your ears when you hear this baby cat roar. Ideal for low-volume studio recording, the Mini II is a Class A, point-to-point wired, tube powered brute. Experience the sweet tone of a dual overdriven 12AX7 pre-amp section and a single EL-84 power tube in your bedroom without disturbing your neighbors. Also features Line Out, Volume, Interactive Bass, Treble and Master Controls. 4, 8, 16 Ohm Selector.   Review Baron Snott Watt Single channel dual gain mode 12BH7 Push/Pull 5 to 7 watt amplifier. 100% Tube signal path No Diodes or SS components 3-12AX7A preamp tubes and 1 12BH7 push/Pull power tube. Vintage Gain Mode: Clean to crunch. Modern Gain Mode: Crunch to Metal Dual gain Controls, Treble boost, gain modes, dry/wet settings. Dummy load for use as a preamp and or line out. Barr Amplification Barr amps come in  range of power output options from 5 watt. The Monster can be switched 5, 10, 20 and 30 watts with pentode and triode channels.   Bearpaw Growler Bearpaw's Growler range from 1 watt up... Big White Monkey The Chimp. Single ended Class A 5 watt amp, switchable to 2 watts Black Heart Killer Ant <1 Watt RMS, Single-Ended, Class A Solid State Rectifier Volume (the rest of the tone is in your hands)     The Black Heart Little Giant is  5 watt version. Blackstar HT5 Innovative 5 Watt valve amplifier • 1xECC83 and 1x12BH7 valves • Unique push pull power amp design • Award winning HT Pedal preamp • Two footswitchable channels • 10˝ Celestion speaker   Blankenship Amps Fatboy Speaker: 1x12" Power: selectable to 10, 15, 18 or 25 watts Tube Complement: Two 12Ax7, Two 6V6 and 6L6 sets, One 5AR4 or 5Y3 rectifier Controls: Volume, Volume, Tone, On/Off, Standby Cabinet Coverings: Aged Lacquered Tweed (standard), Rough Blonde Tolex, Red or Purple Levant   Blues Land BabyBlues starting at $650 - a 3 to 8 watt 9 (depending on the power tube used) single ended amp that is similar to a tweed champ on steroids with a couple of other features and tweaks. BluesKing starting at $800 - a 13 watt amp that is similar to a tweed deluxe with a couple of other features and tweaks. Options; can come with a 50/60's (cathode to fixed bias) switch that switches the amp from that 50's squeezed class A (cathode bias) sound to a tighter, more Marshally sound like a 60's (fixed bias) Speakers; none, head only - 1x12 tweed or plexi-glas, 1x12, 2x12, 2x10. The pix are of two recently finished (Oct 2009) amps that are available with or without handles. The one on the right is currently loaded with a rare early 60's British Elac alnico 10 inch speaker.. The one on the left is loaded with an early re-issue of a Jensen P10R alnico 10 inch speaker. BluesLand 1999 Catalog and pricelist Bogner Panama 4 watts push pull with 2 6V6 tubes Bogner Mojado Head 15 Watts 6V6’s Volume Knob 4-Position Schizo Knob Bogner Panama   Bugera V5 Boutique-Style 5-Watt Class-A Valve Amplifier Combo with Reverb and Power Attenuator.   Bumbox Lead One Controls Gain - Treble - Middle - Bass - Master Volume Preamp - 2 - 12ax7's Power section - 1 - 6n1p Output power 1w max, 1/2w clean Dimensions 15.5" x 7" x 7", 10lbs.   The Bum Box Reino Unido is switchable 12/20 watt. Byers Model 10 Classis tweed tone with greater range. Warm and clean with plenty of headroom and switchable overdrive for classic tube distortion. Completely hand wired and assembled from only the finest components. No printed circuit boards. Treble - Bass - Volume - Tone control circuit out switch and Overdrive controls. Hi - Low dual inputs. 10" Weber speaker. 5 watts RMS clean output with 10 watts max signal output. Properly wired heaters and shielded inputs create virtually hum free operation. 6v6GT - 12AX7 tubes. 4 ohm output impendence from Mercury Magnetic output transformers. Carp Amps 1030 Power Output: 8 Watts Output Tubes: 1-6V6 S Preamp Tubes: 1 – ECC83S Rectifier: Solid State Controls: Gain, Tone, Volume Configurations: Head, Colors: Black, Red Dimensions and Weight Head: 16" W, 9 1/2" H, 9 1/2" D, 20 Carr Mercury Class A Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage Single channel: bass, treble, reverb 3-position boost switch Treble cut switch Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)     Review Carr amps Raleigh 3 watt 1-10 compact combo with Eminence Lil' buddy hemp cone 10" speaker 2 12AX7s, 1 EL-84 tube compliment Volume, Tone, Clean/Overdrive Toggle Switch, Master Volume controls 3 watts output Ideal for home and studio Glassy 60s blackface tones to juicy, sustained overdrive Carvin Vintage 16 All tube design - three 12AX7 preamp(Groove Tubes V1) tubes, two EL84 output Groove Tubes™ power tubes - 1 Meg Passive tone controls for broad adjustment range. - Front controls: VOLUME, SOAK, BASS, MID, TREBLE and REVERB - Metal shaft controls, Ivory knobs, Red jewel lamp - Strong Poplar plywood enclosure covered in thick TWEED - GT12 speaker - Output: 16 watts / 5 Watts, Pentode / Triode into 8ohms - Single 8ohms speaker jack. - CH EQ: 60, 650, & 11.5K Hz. - Size: 16 inches wide x 8.5 inches deep x 17.75 inches high - Weight: 31 lbs. - 120V or 240V models - Made in San Diego, California   Carvin V3M 7, 22, 50 watt switchable Cheese Blocks Mini Menace 1/2 Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head The amp is built into a pedal sized enclosure and powerd by an external 12V wall wart (included). It has an 8ohm output. This is a great sounding little amp based on a 12AU7 using a JRC386D for the power amp stage   Chute Amplifiers CC-02 15 watt, three 12ax7 two 6v6   Clark Amplification Lil' Bit ltd™ Five watt / Ten Watt, Single ended Pure Class "A" circuitry, one twelve combo, chrome chassis. This amp features the chassis of a 5E3 with two separate input channels, (Bright and Normal) with a common tone control. Channels can be bridged for even more tonal options. The amp features the ability to operate with either a single or two 6V6's. You may also mix a 6V6 and a 6L6 for added tonal palette. Output wattage is easily selected by the use of one or two output tubes. * Tube compliment is one 5Y3GT, one or two 6V6 Tung Sol (RI), two 12AX7 Mullard. All NOS tubes available. * Jensen paper, copper foil, and oil coupling capacitors, Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors, Sprague electrolytics, CTS potentiometers, Carling switches, Switchcraft jacks, NOS tube sockets Mil Spec, Original solid 22g cloth covered wire. * Weber VST 12A125 12" speaker or Celestion G12H30 speaker. Cornell Romany Output: A - 10 watts B - 2 watts C - ¼ watt Valve Complement: ECC83 (x1) 6L6GT (x1)   Cornford Harlequin 6 Watts. Class A. 2 x 12AX7 Valves (preamp), 1x EL84 (output stage), 12 inch Celestion Vintage 30 Speaker, 2 x inputs (hi and lo), Volume, which simultaneously controls first and second gain stages (tandem pot), Treble, Master Volume and voice switch which alters the frequency range over which the tone controls operate   Crate V5 V5 Class A combo features a single EL84 output tube producing 5 watts through a single 10" speaker 1 EL84 Tube     The Crate V16 Palomino is a USA made combo. 15W power Class A tube circuit Single channel with Boost switch 12" Celestion speaker Gain, 3-band EQ, Level, Reverb knobs Spring reverb 18-1/2"W x 16-1/2"H x 9-1/2"D 38 lbs. Cuba St The Radiotone The Cuba Street Amplifier Company, New Zealand The Radiotone is a pocket battleship! 5 watts of class A pure valve tone through a grunty little Weber 8" speaker. Or run it as a head into your favourite speaker cabinet . . . growls like a mad thing! P2P hand-wired, fingerjointed cabinet, two-tone tolex covering. Made in Aotearoa, New Zealand   Culler Amplification 1 Watt amp Auto Air Automotive Finishes Volume + Boost Controls 1/4" Input and Output Jacks On/Off Switch with LED indicator Works with 4/8/16 ohm cabinets 1 Watt of output cranked All quality components used Power supply and battery adapter included Hand-built / Hand-wired in USA Next page: D-Lab Copper - Jule Amps Sweet Sue a-c | d-j | k-p | r-s | t-z